Hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b otic and Itching: What Users Say

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2020

For Otitis Externa "I used the drops in both ears for a week because my ears were itchy. The itch went away, but after a week, my ears became clogged, sounds were muffled, and there was hearing loss in the right ear. I went to the ENT after two weeks. It seems that the suspension caused a crust to form on the ear drums, preventing them from vibrating, which caused the muffled sound and the hearing loss. The ENT used a small tweezer, pulled crust from both ears, and voila... I could hear again. If you get the symptoms I had, let your ENT know to check for that. Don’t use the suspension for longer than 10 days."

• Loa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2020

For Otitis Externa "One of the worst ear drops I have to take. I was having irritation in both ears due to excessive Q-tip use, and the doctor prescribed me this for pain. I used it in both ears for the first day, three times a day, and it burned and itched when I tried it. It also made both of my ears completely clogged and now barely drains, and the skin around the ear is sore, dry, and scabby. I tried it again the next day, which was a huge mistake. Now both ears are again completely clogged, and my gland under my right ear on my face is painful and enlarged and barely drains. I can’t hear out of both ears, and it hurts to chew. Do not use this medication. I’m surprised this was even prescribed to me when I could have used something else. This medication shouldn’t even be on the market at all. I’m wondering why the doctor who prescribed it to me without telling me the side effects, and I’m worried now that it has caused damage to my ear. I hope not. I’m really angry."

• Ron...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2019

For Otitis Externa "I had an incident where a bug crawled into my ear while I was sleeping, and believe me, it was extremely painful. I went to the ER, and they pulled it out and wrote me a prescription for Hydrocortisone/Neomycin/Polymyxin B Otic to ensure I would not develop an ear infection after the procedure. I was instructed to use 3-4 drops, 3 times a day for 7 days and then discontinue use of them. I followed these instructions precisely. 3 days after I stopped taking them, my inner ear started to become extremely itchy, and I had discharge coming out of my ear. After that, my inner ear was scaly and painful and itchy. It has since then spread to my outer earlobe. My earlobe is covered in a rash and is swollen. I also experienced hearing loss, and I now have a lump behind my ear. Please do not use these drops."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2022

Hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b otic for Otitis Externa "In September 2021, I had a lot of itching and burning in my right outer ear canal. It felt like a zit in my ear canal. My ear canal began to get inflamed and wasn't improving, so I went to urgent care. The PA looked in my ear and said my 'eardrum looked inflamed.' She prescribed these otic antibiotic/steroid drops. They instantly caused more itching and burning in my ear, and I noticed that it was drying up in my ear. I now had tinnitus and a feeling of pressure and muffled hearing. My ear canal began to swell up. After four days of this, I did some research and found a lot of reviews on another site where people had increased pain and itching, and loss of hearing and tinnitus. Something most reviews have in common is that people found out their blocked hearing and itching and pain was being caused by this medication drying up on their eardrum and forming a cast. The cast keeps the eardrum from vibrating, which decreases hearing, and caused a muffled or blocked sound in the ear. Don't use."

• Ira...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2016

Hydrocortisone / neomycin / polymyxin b otic for Otitis Externa "I had a horrible allergic reaction to the ear drops! The medication made my look like I had a chemical burn on the right side of my face and blister like on my ear. The itching was immune to Benadryl, and I am hoping my face will heal soon."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2019

For Otitis Externa "I have bad seasonal allergies that sometimes affect my Eustachian tubes, and I tend to end up with otitis externa in one of my ears as a result. An ENT doctor prescribed these drops. They're very effective and get rid of the pain and swelling that results from this ear infection. The only side effect is that it makes my ear very itchy. I'll apply an itch relief cream like Benadryl around the outside of my ear, and it usually does the trick. Definitely do not use for more than 10 days."

• LAD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2020

For Middle Ear Infections "Used the neomycin and polymyxin B ear drop prior to going to bed. I was awakened about 4:30 a.m., with a severe itch and stinging in and around my right ear. I used the drop the next morning and noticed I began to itch worse and continued, leading to bumps, redness, a swollen and scaly ear that feels like rubber to the touch. I decided not to use it again. I called the doctor and was prescribed other meds to treat it. I'm praying it gets better and goes away very soon."

• Aut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2022

For Otitis Externa "Horrible! I had itchy ears. I was prescribed this, and my ears hurt so bad, and I now have a full-out ear infection! The pain is unbearable, I can't believe it. The worst part is, there is no way to get back my $65 I spent on this medication. The doctor says, 'Oh well, we tried.' The pharmacy says it's against the board of health to refund money, the bank says they can't dispute it. So now I'm left with an unbelievably painful ear infection, not to mention $65 medication, $40 doctor visit! Do not take this medication! Do yourself a favor!"

• paw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2016

For Otitis Externa "I have been using these ear drops for 4 days now. I had itching in my right ear and pain in my left. The doctor said it was a mild skin infection/irritation. When I put the drops in the right ear, the itching becomes intense for a few minutes. But it does seem to help in the long run. The drops in the left ear I can hardly feel. That ear seems 'full.' The pain seems to have been alleviated though."

• Avo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2021

For Otitis Externa "I’ve taken these before with little to no results, so when the urgent care doctor prescribed these, I knew they wouldn’t work. That would have been the least of my worries. Now, 8 days later, and after being prescribed a Z pack from my primary, my ears are still itchy, irritated, and I have a nasty rash and swelling of my right earlobe. Next time someone tries to prescribe these, I will refuse."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2021

For Otitis Externa "Like so many other reviews, I was prescribed this drug for an external ear infection. After completing the drops, my hearing sounded slightly muffled, and I can hear a crackling sound. My ear became incredibly itchy and painful all the way out to my earlobe. Went back and got oil drops, they seem to be helping remove the crust that has formed over my eardrum and soothe the rest of my irritated skin."